Back to Index , Back to SASF Index

Day 2 of the Southern African Social Forum
Indymedia.org
October 14, 2005

http://southafrica.indymedia.org/

HARARE, ZIMBABWE - Two tired but pleased coordinators of the second Southern African Social Forum (SASF) held in Harare, Zimbabwe, comments on the proceedings at the end of Day Two. Rita Nyampinga and Netsayi Dzinaeva, half of the four-person SASF coordinating team, estimates that over 3000 people attend the Forum. Around two-thirds of the delegates are from Zimbabwe.

"The major challenge has been the transportation of people," says Netsayi. "We have a fuel crisis in Zimbabwe and it is very difficult to transport people. But people are coming late and leaving late. We have hired buses from private companies, but fuel is not guaranteed anyway."

However, people have made it to Harare, and have so far spent two days discussing and workshopping issues such as trade justice, gender, HIV/AIDS and health, liberation theology and land and rural struggles. A parallel youth camp, where young people gathered to talk about the impact of capitalism, the struggle for a living wage, patriarchy and opposition to privatisation, attracted close to 200 participants.

Commenting of the Forum, Netsayi said that the most important part was that the SASF is not directed at any particular class or group of people. The Forum is very inclusive. Most delegates are ordinary people with real issues, who are suffering from food shortages and the fuel crisis. They are really starting to claim their rights, she said.

Rita agreed that the inclusiveness of the SASF was very encouraging. "We have people here who are living with HIV/AIDS and who cannot access anti-retrovirals. They are so disadvantaged. We are working with some of the most disadvantaged people of the communities," Rita said.

As Day Two closed, darkness fell quickly and a cool breeze swept across the SASF area in Harare Gardens, refreshing tired minds to prepare them for the final day, where earlier discussions will guide actions towards another, different world.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP